Are you at work right now? Good. Now look down at what you’re wearing. Could you wear your outfit out to dinner with clients? To a star-studded celebration for a new brand promotion? To an art opening? To your best friend’s after-hours birthday party? Chances are that you can’t – without having to stop by home to change clothes, at least.

For decades, conventional wisdom has women wearing coordinated separates and suits to work almost exclusively as a way of better fitting into a “man’s world”. However, those standards are changing rapidly as societies worldwide become “woke” to the inequality between genders – especially in the workplace – which means women are now starting to dress for themselves more than ever before.

Naturally, you still want to project an aura of self-confidence at your place of business, but you no longer have to do so at the cost of your femininity. While suits and coordinated separates are traditionally thought of as ideal workwear attire, dresses are a fantastic alternative. Hear us out. The busy modern woman has a schedule that never ceases, and needs a wardrobe that is as functional as it stylish. Polished, chic dresses are just the solution you’re looking for as they tend to be much more comfortable and figure-flattering than, say, a pantsuit.

Not only that, but an added layer and a few accessories are all you’ll need to take your look effortlessly from day to evening, with no need to make a pit stop at home first. All you have to do is stash the extras in your work bag. With a polished dress – like those in the shoppable edit below – as the foundation of your workwear look, you’ll quickly find that they’re more than just a pretty piece; they add real value to your wardrobe by playing double-duty from day to night.